I live in a very land locked state. You have to cross almost three states to reach the ocean. I was surprised to find, a seagull circling my local Kroger grocery. When I drove five miles to the Meijers store, there was another gull. At first, I thought it was the same gull crying as it searched for his group and complaining about the weather. Eventually, the two gulls found each other. They’d haunted the grocery parking lot for the last two years. Kroger employees put our bread and bird seed for them. Customers at the nearby pizzeria throw them bits of bread sticks and pizza crust. This demonstrates two of the gull’s most valuable characteristics of being adaptable and an opportunist.

When we visited Fort Myers they explained to us the gulls we saw were bay gulls. They were also smart enough to hang out by the fishing fleet when they came in to dock. The entrails of the fish, and head and tails became gull fodder. The gull is the ultimate scavenger. Anyone who has ever had a fry stolen while dining al fresco knows they can also be bold.

Gulls are often known by the their raucous calls. They have opinions and aren’t afraid to make their voice heard. A gull symbolizes communication. Just watch a group fight over a half eaten sandwich. The gull from its soaring flight represents freedom. It also reminds you to look at your problems from a different perspective.

​If a seagull is your totem, then you are indeed, lucky. The seagull tends to turn everything to its advantage.

It’s funny that so many people despise gulls. I remember back from my introductory psychology class that we despise in others what we see in ourselves. Do we dislike gulls because they’re noisy or opportunist. I especially like the gulls with their streamlined bodies and their chain-smoker hoarseness. They always symbolize vacation to me.